Xpress (roller coaster)
Encyclopedia
Xpress is a steel
roller coaster
at Walibi Holland in Biddinghuizen, Flevoland, The Netherlands
. It was launched as Superman The Ride in April 2000. The name was changed to Xpress in the season of 2005. It is the first LSM-coaster in Europe
.
has been locked and checked, it slowly advances out of the station to the launch area. The train goes through a tunnel, where the passenger waits until the countdown starts. After the countdown, the trains, which exist out of 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 24 riders per train, are accelerated from 0 - 55.9 mph in 2.8 seconds, after which, the ride follows. It first climbs into a roll over loop which is actually 2 inversions. You begin by climbing into a half loop, followed by a half corkscrew, another half corkscrew and ending with a half loop. Then the train plunges into numerous turns and helixes and the 3rd inversion, a 360 degree corkscrew. The train than passes in through a mid course break run, makes a few turns then travels into the final break run and re-enters the station.
The ride was launched in April 2000 in the theme park Six Flags Holland. After the name of the park was changed to Walibi World, the name of the ride was also changed to Xpress. This happened in 2005.
The Xpress has nearly the same track layout as the "Rock 'n' Roller Coaster
" models at Disney Parks. The Xpress' layout is a bit more spacious to compensate for a higher speed launch due to the trains being lighter without the musical hardware.
In 2011, small cracks were found in the stator
s, and their metal inside started to rust. New stators have been ordered, and will be delivered in February
2012. Therefore, the coaster has been standing but not operating for the whole season. In August 2011, Walibi Holland decided to re-paint the track, to get rid of the old Superman colors.
Steel roller coaster
A steel roller coaster is a roller coaster that is defined by having a track made of steel. Steel coasters have earned immense popularity in the past 50 years throughout the world...
roller coaster
Roller coaster
The roller coaster is a popular amusement ride developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. LaMarcus Adna Thompson patented the first coasters on January 20, 1885...
at Walibi Holland in Biddinghuizen, Flevoland, The Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. It was launched as Superman The Ride in April 2000. The name was changed to Xpress in the season of 2005. It is the first LSM-coaster in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
.
The Ride
After the trainTrain (roller coaster)
A roller coaster train or car describes the vehicle which transports passengers around a roller coaster's circuit. More specifically, a roller coaster train is made up of two or more "cars" which are connected by some sort of specialized joint. It is called a "train" because the cars follow one...
has been locked and checked, it slowly advances out of the station to the launch area. The train goes through a tunnel, where the passenger waits until the countdown starts. After the countdown, the trains, which exist out of 2 across in 2 rows for a total of 24 riders per train, are accelerated from 0 - 55.9 mph in 2.8 seconds, after which, the ride follows. It first climbs into a roll over loop which is actually 2 inversions. You begin by climbing into a half loop, followed by a half corkscrew, another half corkscrew and ending with a half loop. Then the train plunges into numerous turns and helixes and the 3rd inversion, a 360 degree corkscrew. The train than passes in through a mid course break run, makes a few turns then travels into the final break run and re-enters the station.
Ride Facts
- 2 24-passenger trains.
- One colored red & yellow, one colored blue & yellow.
- 3 inversions.
- Over 150 LSMs.
- Over the shoulder harnesses.
- Maximum height: 80 ft.
- Direct copy of Rock 'n' Roller CoasterRock 'n' Roller CoasterRock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith is an enclosed steel roller coaster ride at Disney's Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort and at the Walt Disney Studios Park in Disneyland Paris...
at Disney's Hollywood Studios and Walt Disney Studios. - Manufactured by: VekomaVekomaVekoma Rides Manufacturing B.V. is a roller coaster and thrill ride designer with its facilities based in the Netherlands. The company was founded in 1926 by Hendrik op het Veld under the name "Veld Koning Machinefabriek" and had first manufactured agricultural machinery and mining equipment...
international of the NetherlandsNetherlandsThe Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
.
History
The Xpress / Superman was initially to be called "Riddler's Revenge" and was painted green at the factory. Shortly before the ride was installed, it was decided that Europeans know of Batman, but not necessarily all of the related villains. So the track was repainted with red and blue supports and given a Superman theme. The station was given the theme of the Daily Planet offices.The ride was launched in April 2000 in the theme park Six Flags Holland. After the name of the park was changed to Walibi World, the name of the ride was also changed to Xpress. This happened in 2005.
The Xpress has nearly the same track layout as the "Rock 'n' Roller Coaster
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith is an enclosed steel roller coaster ride at Disney's Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort and at the Walt Disney Studios Park in Disneyland Paris...
" models at Disney Parks. The Xpress' layout is a bit more spacious to compensate for a higher speed launch due to the trains being lighter without the musical hardware.
In 2011, small cracks were found in the stator
Stator
The stator is the stationary part of a rotor system, found in an electric generator, electric motor and biological rotors.Depending on the configuration of a spinning electromotive device the stator may act as the field magnet, interacting with the armature to create motion, or it may act as the...
s, and their metal inside started to rust. New stators have been ordered, and will be delivered in February
February
February is the second month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars. It is the shortest month and the only month with fewer than 30 days. The month has 28 days in common years and 29 days in leap years...
2012. Therefore, the coaster has been standing but not operating for the whole season. In August 2011, Walibi Holland decided to re-paint the track, to get rid of the old Superman colors.